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Eenboom Mountain Guest Lodge

Barrydale Garden Route - South Africa

Email Eenboom Mountain Guest Lodge Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com

The farm’s registered name is Vlakterand, but locals have for centuries referred to it as Eenboom, a name it derived from a very big and ancient old blue gum tree that was visible for miles around.

Local lore has it that the name was first given by a Khoisan tribe that inhabited the area at the beginning of the 19th century.
While the original Eenboom tree still stands, today, however, there are more large blue gum trees on the farm.

Eenboom Mountain Guest Lodge Accommodation

Eenboom offers its guests 5 superbly appointed self-catering guest cottages. The guest cottages are modern renovations of century-old labourers’ cottages, now boasting all modern amenities.
Each features a stylishly decorated and furnished lounge, providing comfortable seating in warm and relaxed surroundings.

Two of the cottages have cosy fireplaces in the kitchen for those chilly winter evenings. Television is installed in the lounge area of each cottage.
Two cottages have 2 bedrooms each, while the other three have 1 bedroom each. Bedrooms are airy and modern, complimented by clean bathrooms. In each cottage an open plan kitchen is well fitted with microwave ovens, fridges, crockery and cutlery. Two cottages sleeps 4, one cottage sleeps 3 and two cottages sleeps 2.

Outside there are barbecue facilities for that favourite South African culinary pastime, the braai. After a long day in the veld, just pull up a chair, pop the cork off a chilled local wine, sit back and enjoy… the silence, or the sounds of birds, spectacular sunsets, great vistas, clear blue skies, the smell of meat on the coals or the warm sunshine.

Eenboom Mountain Guest Lodge Facilities

Besides the unbelievable beauty, sunsets and clean air one can enjoy:
• Enchanting walks in the mountainous nature along 15km of trails
• Adventurous hikes into the many ravines
• Cycling, walking and jogging along well-kept paths
• Game and bird watching
• Fishing (during summer)
• Studying of exotic wild veld flowers and fynbos
• Collecting rocks and stones shaped by an ancient volcanic eruption
• Searching for the elusive Bushman rock art said to be in the area
• Viewing the old buildings and ruins on the farm, dating from the mid to late 1800’s
• Trips to the nearby towns of Barrydale and Montagu that offer many interesting sights and experiences
• Hikes in the nearby Langeberg mountains and Tradouw Pass
• All the places of interest along the nearby Route 62
• Swimming in our dams in summer
• Clean, serviced and well-appointed accommodation
• Conference facilities
• Friendly atmosphere and hospitality
• A safe environment, crime free and with nearby medical facilities
• Excellent service and personal attention

Assistance with planning of day trips to surrounding places of interest is available by arrangement.
These include, 4X4 trips, Quad bike adventure trips, restaurants cellars tours etc

In addition to accommodation, Eenboom also boasts excellent conference facilities that cater, among other things, for:
• Conferences
• Seminars and workshops
• Executive planning sessions
• Team-building events
• Year-end functions
• Birthday parties
• Wedding receptions

The main farmhouse and other buildings are situated on a hill, some 1 000 meters above sea level. From here, as from the surrounding luxury cottages, our visitors experience spectacular African sunsets and unsurpassed vistas of the mountains and surrounding farms.

The main farmhouse is the original homestead dating back to the mid-1800s. In it lived one of the earlier settlers whose grave can be visited on the farm, one Susannah Elizabeth Conradie (néé Jordaan), born in 1864 and died in 1937. There are various ruins dating back to the same time to be found on the farm.

The farm also lies within the Cape Plant Kingdom, an area of "Mediterranean" vegetation that is found in the southwest and southern Cape, and is recognized as one of the Six Floral Kingdoms of the world. It has a rich and varied plant life, with about 8 600 kinds of flowering plants.
Average rainfall for the area is around 350mm per year with sunny skies for most of the year. Moderate temperatures are the order of the day, although highs of 35°C are not uncommon during the summer months, which are from November to mid-April.
Spring is from mid-August to November with pleasant temperatures reaching midday highs of around 15 to 20°C. Winter days can be quite cold in the early mornings but usually develop into bright sunny days with temperatures of around 15 to 18°C.
In winter snow often falls on the nearby Langeberg mountains, and sometimes even on Eenboom itself, transforming the area into a breathtaking wonderland.

HOW TO FIND US …
From Cape Town take the N1 North towards Paarl / Worcester.
At Worcester take the 2nd turn-off , “Worcester Robertson “ turn to your right .

Pass through 3 sets of traffic lights , at the 4th traffic light turn left towards Robertson.
Carry on for about 1 km, turn right at traffic light , follow the sign to Robertson.

Pass through the towns of Robertson, Ashton and Montagu. You are now on the R62 Tourist Route going towards the town of Barrydale. After about 34km you will find a signboard on the left-hand side of the road saying “ Welcome to the Overberg “, you are now nearby.

Carry on till you see a white pillar entrance to a farm on the left hand side of the road. Start slowing down. This is followed by a road sign indicating a left turn-off.
Look out for the sign saying “Een Boom Game Lodge “. Follow the dirt road for 4km, followed by a another sign on your left saying “ EENBOOM “. The distance from Cape Town is approximately 230 km and should take no more that 2.5 hours.

GAME, BIRDS AND WILDLIFE …
Eenboom offers ample game and wildlife viewing. Visitors can drive or cycle to numerous viewing points or watch the wildlife at several dams, from vantage points on the hills, or from the many hiking trails.
Some of the game even at times venture right up to the guest cottages. At present there are five buck species on the farm, namely Bontebok, Springbok, Duiker, Mountain Reedbuck (Rooi ribbok), Cape Grysbok and Red Hartebees. More species will be introduced from time to time.

Other game that can be seen on the farm include the very shy Cape Leopard, Caracal (Rooikat), Jackal, Porcupine, Bushpig, giant Mountain Tortoise, smaller Veld Tortoise and Water Tortoise.
In addition numerous snake species are found at Een Boom, such as the majestic Cape Cobra, the lazy Puff adder, the well-camouflaged Boomslang (tree snake) and more.

For bird lovers there is an abundance of wild bird life. Listen to the calls of the Hadeda ibis flying overhead as they return to their roots in the area. Spot the elegant Blue Crane as it meanders along, pausing on one leg. Or locate the many raptors and vultures in the mountains and hills, or circling high up in the air looking for prey.

Furthermore, what is known as the Cape Plant Kingdom is a "Mediterranean" vegetation that is found in the southwest and southern Cape, which includes Kannaland and the district where Eenboom Game Lodge is situated. It is recognized as one of the Six Floral Kingdoms of the world.
Despite being relatively small it has a rich and varied plant life, with about 8 600 kinds of flowering plants. There are many evergreen shrubs as well as the vast number of indigenous species known as fynbos .
Visitors can walk in the veld and admire the many plant species. More adventurous guests can also venture to the nearby Langeberg mountains where they can engage in hikes or climbs of varying degrees of difficulty.

Eenboom is located almost exactly halfway between the old-worldly rural towns of Barrydale (23km away) and Montagu (34km away), and just off the world-famous and very popular Route 62 tourism route.
Route 62 is also the main route from Cape Town to the Little Karoo ostrich centre of Oudtshoorn where the internationally acclaimed Klein Karoo National Arts Festival takes place every autumn.

The world famous Cango Caves are also situated near Oudtshoorn, and easy day trip away from Eenboom. And in nearby Ladismith there is a highly rated cheese factory, while internationally acclaimed ports and wines are produced at Calitzdorp, also a short drive away.
Montagu is often considered to be the gateway to the Little Karoo and is the heart of the scenic Route 62. The town nestles in the western corner of the region referred to as Kannaland on a map produced in 1843, this name being derived from the genus, Kanna.

In recent times the municipality that serves several towns in the area has reclaimed the name. Montagu was founded in 1851 on the farm Uitvlucht, which had belonged to Pieter Swanepoel since 1841, and the village was named after John Montagu, the then Colonial Secretary of the Cape Colony.
Before that Montagu was known as Agter Cogman’s Kloof. The town lies between the Keisie and Kingna rivers that join at the western end of the town.

Like its neighbour, Montagu also boasts excellent restaurants, gift and craft shops, guesthouses, museums, art galleries and scenic routes, as well as world-famous hot mineral spring baths.
From the hot spring baths one can venture up the delightful valley, following the Lover’s Walk, which passes the river, beautiful cliffs and the Eyssen House complex with its old watermill. Both the walk and the baths complex have been restored after being washed away in a sudden flood in 1981.

Millions of years ago the entire area was covered by the sea, which, after having receded, left behind the natural rock and soil formations so typical of the region.
At some point a massive volcanic eruption also added its artistry to the spectacular scenery of the area. A map dating back to 1843 shows the name for the larger area as being Kannaland. The name Kannaland is derived from ganna, a species of succulent. Ancient people living in the area discovered that when chewing the ganna, they experienced hallucinations.

Once the haunt of wandering tribes of Khoi and San (Bushmen), the area was later settled by European settlers and their descendants.
The farm of Eenboom was settled along with other farms in the area after 1700 when the settlers attracted to the remote corners of the Overberg, closer to the coast, began searching for new land to farm.
Their requirements were an ample supply of water and the soil had to be fertile. The area between Barrydale and Montagu, where Eenboom is situated, was found to be particularly desirable.

Eenboom was first settled by farmers of European origin around the end of the 18th or beginning of the 19th century. While most of Eenboom remained totally unspoilt wilderness area, the small part that had once, many years ago been farmed commercially, had long ago been returned to nature after farming activities ceased .

THE SURROUNDING AREA…
A mere 1.4km from Eenboom is the Sanbona Game Lodge where one can view the big five game species – elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and the leopard.
The districts of Barrydale and Montagu are well known for their wine, fruit, wildflower and game farms. Both towns, with their many attractions such as craft shops, galleries and restaurants, can be reached from Eenboom in less than 30 minutes.

Barrydale is tucked between two of nature’s extremes. On the one side is the beautiful and fertile Tradouw Valley with its many old farms.
On the other side the stark and arid spectacle of the Little Karoo confronts one. The town offers restaurants, craft shops, banks, all modern amenities and unforgettable hikes into the surrounding mountains.

The awe-inspiring Tradouw Pass starts just outside the town. Here one can view nature’s gift of wildflowers in the spring, clusters of blazing aloes in the late autumn and breathtaking waterfalls in winter.
Picnic here at sunset, sipping one of many excellent local wines, and listen to the calls of the Hadeda ibis. The name Tradouw is derived from tradau which means “way of the woman” and is in turn derived from the Khoi words tra signifying “woman” and dau meaning “way through”.

The village was named after an early settler, James Barry, who was a trader, lawyer, agent , auctioneer, deputy sheriff, commandant of militia and later a member of the legislative Council when representative government was granted to the Cape in 1854.

Email Eenboom Mountain Guest Lodge Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com